Nothing makes me feel more smugly self-satisfied than when I manage to pull off something that looks super stylish and expensive but isn't!
I first saw these gorgeous pumpkin centerpieces in 2017 on the Jenny Kayne blog, Rip & Tan. She got hers from hipster nursery Rolling Greens in Los Angeles, but at $90+ each, they were way above my budget for Thanksgiving table decorations.
I did a deep dive and found an easy DIY post at Better Homes and Gardens. They turned out so well, I've done them every year since.
Top tip: If you wait until later in the season (like after Halloween) you might even get your pumpkins for free! But be warned: I was caught out once when all the pretty “Fairytale” or “Cinderella” pumpkins were sold out, so grab at least a couple, just in case.
GATHER YOUR SUPPLIES
- Fairytale Pumpkins I like to get about one large one, plus two small pumpkins for every 2 feet of table space. Then I get more to decorate around the house. Alright! I get as many as I can find if they're free. #sorrynotsorry
- Cut Succulents You’ll need more than you think. I cut these succulents from my yard, but I'm not above snipping some from a park or municipal green strip. They grow back healthier after pruning!
- Sheet Moss from a craft store or Amazon.
- Kraft Paper or Newspaper
- Glue Gun Get the cheapest one. The “professional” ones are the same.
- Spray Adhesive
- Disposable Gloves are a good idea.
CRAFT TIME
- Lay everything out on the Kraft paper/newspaper.
- Spray only the top of the pumpkin. Press the moss onto the top of the pumpkin.
- Now, trim your succulent stems. I keep mine short because tall centerpieces are annoying and block cross-table conversation.
- Heat the glue gun and apply a dot of warm glue to each succulent stem.
- Stick each succulent wherever it looks good!
- Make sure you rotate your pumpkins as you add your succulents so they look good on all sides.
- Stand back and marvel at your creative genius.
These will last until well past Thanksgiving if you keep them out of direct sunlight and give them a little spritz of plain water once a week. This is honestly the easiest and most satisfying crafting project I’ve ever done. And I don’t know how to craft anything.
Happy dance!
xx, mlk
